The secret to precious photos?

Embracing the silliness.

Encouraging the crazy faces.

Saying yes when your son picks you up and swings you around.

Keeping in mind that your child’s “perfect smiling” face is just one version of how they can look lovely… and there are so many more.

Celebrating the stage that your child is in - the awkward, the goofy, the refusing-to-cooperate, the hates-photos-with-a-passion stage.

And loving them because of it all.

Amanda, you and your children are just breathtaking. (Not just because it was so cold!) I’m so so thankful that we could work together again, and LOVED hanging out with your precious babies. Much love to you!!

What I do for a living didn’t really exist 65 years ago. So I’m sure my request felt strange.

Can I come photograph you in the house you’ve lived in for the last 40 years to document your 65 year old love?

They graciously said yes to my idea, even if it felt odd and maybe even awkward.

A tour of their house was given…

With memories and legends and legacies in every corner.

Even their bodies told me stories - the knotted hands, the laughing wrinkles, and the way they stood close to each other.

A life well lived.

A life lived with each other.

Bill & Veta don’t use the internet much… so I can’t thank them personally here. But I will say this much: photograph the ones you love. Document that love - whether it’s a month, a year, a decade, or a generation old. You’ll never regret it.